Bonanza Bird #7: Southern Cassowary
For 19 days we're revealing a new Birdorable every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza. Today's bird species in the Southern Cassowary! Southern Cassowary by... Read more »
Southern Cassowary
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About the Southern Cassowary
Also known as: Double-wattled Cassowary, Australian Cassowary, Two-wattled Cassowary
The Southern Cassowary is a large species of flightless bird native to Indonesia, New Guinea and parts of Australia.
Southern Cassowaries have large, powerful feet which feature a dagger-like claw on the inner of three toes. These sharp claws can be fatal to predators, including humans, if the bird is provoked.
Southern Cassowaries are omnivorous, eating fungi, insects, and small vertebrates. They also eat a variety of fruit, some of which is toxic to other creatures.
Find cute products & gifts with our Birdorable Southern Cassowary
Details & Statistics
Added to Birdorable
Hatched 24 November 2011
Scientific Name
Casuarius casuarius
Bird Family
Conservation Status
Vulnerable (as of 7 April 2020)
VU
- Least Concern (LC)
- Near Threatened (NT)
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Endangered (EN)
- Critically Endangered (CR)
- Extinct in the Wild (EW)
- Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Length:
4.2 to 6.2 feet
(1.3 to 1.9 meters)
Weight:
64 to 190 pounds
(29 to 86.2 kilos)
Conservation
The Southern Cassowary is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and was last assessed in 2012 by BirdLife International. This species is believed to have undergone a rapid decline in the last three generations (44 years) in Australia, and declines of a similar magnitude elsewhere in its range are possible, with local extirpations reported from parts of New Guinea. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable. However, the decline in Australia resulted from an extraordinary rate of habitat destruction which has virtually ceased. Further information from New Guinea may indicate that the species would be better listed as Near Threatened if hunting and high-impact industrial logging does not increase in the large areas of existing habitat there.
International Names
Czech
kasuár přílbový
Danish
Hjelmkasuar
Dutch
Helmcasuarius
Finnish
kypäräkasuaari
French
Casoar à casque
German
Helmkasuar
Italian
Casuario australiano
Japanese
ヒクイドリ (hikuidori)
Norwegian
Toflikkasuar
Polish
kazuar helmiasty
Russian
обыкновенный казуар
Spanish
Casuario Común
Swedish
Hjälmkasuar
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Coming Soon: Birdorable Bonanza 2011
We don't have to add too many birds to reach another milestone on Birdorable: 350 birds! That's a lot of species. We think this milestone deserves some celebration, in the form of a Bonanza! Get ready for the 3rd Birdorable Bonanza! Later this month we'll start unveiling... Read more »
